CROW. 



113 



noticed by the mischief it does to the fruit, cutting it asunder with its 

 well-constructed mandibles, in order to obtain the kernels. A native 

 of those extensive pine forests in the neighbourhood of the Rhine, it 

 makes excursions into various parts of Europe in search of change of 

 food ; and though several instances are recorded of its visits to our 

 island, I know but one mentioned of its having bred in England. A 

 pair was brought to me very early in August, and the breast of the 

 female being nearly bare of feathers, as is observed in sitting birds, it 

 is very probable that she had a nest in the neighbourhood." 1 

 CROW (Corvus corone, Linnjeus.) 



Corvus corone, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 155. 3. — Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 365. sp. 3. — Lath. Ind. 

 Orn. 1. 151. sp. 4.—Wils. Amer. Orn. 4. p. 79. pi. 35. f. 3.— Cornix, Rail, Syn. 

 p. 39. A. 2. — Will. p. 83. — La corneille noir ou Corbine, Buff. Ois. 3. p. 45. 

 t. 5.— Ib. pi. Enl. 483.— Corneille Noir, Temm. Man. d'Orn. 1. p. 108.— 

 Krahen Rabe, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 2. p. 117. — Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 1. 

 p. 94.— Carrion Crow, Br. Zool. 1. No. 75. t. 34.— Arct. Zool. 2. No. 135.— 

 Lewins Br. Birds, 1. t. 34.— White's Hist. Selb. p. 97.— Will. (Angl.) p. 122. 

 t. 18.— Lath. Syn. 1. p.' 370. 3.— Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 4.— Mont. Orn. Diet.— 

 Ib. Supp. — Bewick's Br. Birds, 1. — Low's Faun. Oread. — Shaw's Zool. 7. p. 

 345—Selby, pi. 28. p. 69. 



Provincial. — Black Neb. Corby Crow. Flesh Crow. Gor Crow. 



Midden Crow.* 



This species weighs about nineteen ounces ; length eighteen inches ; 

 bill black ; irides dusky. The whole plumage black, glossed above 

 with a purplish blue ; legs black. 



Distinguished from the rook by the bill, which is rather more con- 

 vex towards the end, and the nares, or reflected bristles, at the base 

 being always perfect ; but these are only obvious in adults. In young 

 birds the note is the only criterion of distinction, which in this is much 

 more hoarse than that of the rook. 



The Crow feeds on flesh, insects, and grain ; but is particularly fond 

 of carrion. It frequently attacks the eyes of dying animals, and destroys 

 weakly lambs ; it will also pursue birds on wing, when pressed by hun- 

 ger. We once saw this bird in pursuit of a pigeon, at which it made 

 several pounces, like a hawk ; but the pigeon escaped, by flying in at 

 the door of a house. We have also seen it strike a pigeon dead from 

 the top of a barn. It is a great destroyer of young game and poultry. 



It is a bold bird, always at war with the lesser species of hawks ; nor 

 does the kite, the buzzard, or the raven, approach its nest without 

 being attacked and driven away. At that season, even the peregrine 

 falcon is insulted, who frequently at one pounce brings it to the ground. 



1 Journal of a Naturalist. 

 I 



